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National Association of Pastoral Musicians
Detroit Chapter
NPM Detroit’s Composer’s Corner
Featuring local liturgical composers
Dr. Norah Duncan IV
Dr. Norah Duncan IV, DMA
Ye Shall Go Out with Joy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocZewKTA1Bg
Where the Joys and Hopes of Living
https://giamusic.com/resource/where-the-joys-and-hopes-of-living-print-g9021
I want Jesus to Walk with Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu4zewP-rRQ
Christ, the Victorious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbnphu1CX3A
Nobody Know the Trouble I’ve Seen
https://giamusic.com/resource/nobody-knows-the-trouble-ive-seen-print-g9776
Ubi Caritas (organ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8yjddRLgK0
Postlude on “Go Tell it on the Mountain” (organ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzhfEgHAXVc
Holy Name of Jesus Gloria
https://giamusic.com/resource/holy-name-of-jesus-glory-to-god-print-g8028
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGFrVizo_Zo&list=RDBGFrVizo_Zo&start_radio=1
Hold On!
https://giamusic.com/resource/hold-on-print-g9258
Sanctus, from Unity Mass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-VZNQmBsME
Stations of the Cross
Biography
Norah Duncan IV is Professor of Music in the Department of Music at Wayne State University. He served as department chair from 2013 to 2023. Duncan received an undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit, a Master of Music degree from Wayne State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan.
Duncan has performed extensively in both the United States and Europe and Australia. He was music director for the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 1980 to 2007. He was director of music for the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Detroit in 1987. Because of his interest in Gregorian Chant, with the Benedictine Monastery in Solesmes, France, he established the Gregorian Institute of Detroit for the study of chant music. Norah has presented papers on liturgical music at international congresses, clinics and workshops in Rome, Dublin, and for the Diocese of Enugu and the Archdiocese of Abuja, in Nigeria.
Norah Duncan IV is the recipient of the Award for Excellence for Musical Direction presented by the American College Theater Festival in Washington, D.C.; the Sr. Thea Bowman Award from the Archdiocese of Detroit; the Spirit of Detroit Award; and the Mother Teresa Duchemin Award for exemplary community service. In 2006, he became the first recipient of the Changing Lives Through Music Award presented by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In 2008, Wayne State University presented him with its Board of Governors Faculty Recognition Award for his contributions to academic excellence and scholarship. And in 2009, he was the recipient of an Alumni Award for community partnerships. In 2024, he became the recipient of the WSU Murray Jackson Creative Scholar in the Arts Award, which is given to exceptional faculty to showcase their talent in pursuit of the university’s mission and goals.
Dr. Duncan was a member of both the editorial and advisory committees for the revision of "Lead Me, Guide Me," the African American Catholic Hymnal. Several of his compositions are included in this hymnal, including the “Unity Mass,” the “Holy Name of Jesus,” and many settings of psalms and canticles. Since the publication of “Lead Me, Guide Me,” In 2015, he was commissioned to write music for national NPM conventions, including “Where the Joys and Hopes of Living,” for the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of Gaudium et Spes. During the height of the pandemic, Norah wrote a collection of African American spirituals for solo voice and piano. All of his compositions are published by GIA Publications, Chicago, Illinois.
Norah Duncan IV, DMA
Professor of Music
Department of Music
Wayne State University
4841 Cass Avenue
Suite 1321 Old Main
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Upcoming Events
Bishop Mark Seitz Challenge
Bishop Mark Seitz issued a challenge to members of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) during the 2024 NPM Convention. He encouraged everyone to contribute what they can to support the financial needs of NPM. This initiative aims to foster the art of musical liturgy within the Catholic Church by ensuring the organization can continue its mission through the generosity of its members and supporters.
Are you interested in participating or learning more about this challenge?
NPM Detroit has collected and donated $450 at our events toward this challenge since July 2024.
Community Events
A calendar for all pastoral musicians in the Metro Detroit Area! Is your choir having a presentation? Have a concert in your parish? Let’s add it to the community calendar.
About Us
The National Association of Pastoral Musicians fosters the art of musical liturgy. The members of NPM serve the Catholic Church in the United States as musicians, clergy, liturgists, and other leaders of prayer. (NPM Mission Statement)